Paper Memories

Chapter 7-I

Chapter 7-I

Biglang tumawag si Percival.

But he didn't talk, so I paced around the lobby thinking I just have a bad reception. I even tried to call him and sent a text to see what he needs from me. Sana walang emergency, pero sana din hindi siya nagtatampo o pinaglalaruan lang ako. Gagabihin pa naman ako ng uwi.

In my anxiety, I almost bumped into someone.

It's Nabi, my blockmate, who has been labeled as my "rival" for four years. She is small at below five feet, yet her frame has the right amount of curves that attract males. She has chocolate brown hair, a round face, and big eyes; she's almost doll-like, with an eerie quality to her beauty.

"Naghihintay ka lang ng tawag ba't muka kang mamatay tao?Puta."

"Nabi...Palagi ka na ngang absent, bat hindi ka pa nauna sa klase?

Ricos interved." Ate? Sabay na tayo?"

"It's not like I'm waiting for you like this brat or something!" Mataray na sagot ni Nabi.Magkakasama kaming tatlo sa elective class. I understand if the transferee tags along with me, but not her." Nag-s-standout ka lang jan kakahintay mo niyang tawag!"

"Hihintayin ko to, mauna na kayo." I responded with my phone still on my ear." Ricos just follow her or ask someone for our room."

Biglang umalis si Nabi ng marinig yun." I'm not his baby sitter!"

Ricos pouted." Hintayin kita, Ate."

I gently nodded, and let him be. Napasanday ako balustrade sa second floor hallway.Naiinis na ako pero ngiti-ngiting na ang katabi ko." Ricos, you should go ahead. Mal-late ka na naman sa unang pasok mo."

"Are you waiting for your boyfriend's call?"

"Yes...He's supposed to be at home..."

Paano ko ipapaliwanag ang sitwasyon ko? Ngayon lang kami nagkilala, or atleast I hope this indeed our first time knowing each other. This boy starts to add to my worries. I threw my eyes back and forth on the school quadrangle below us when neither of us succeeded in breaking the silence.

Later on, Ricos tugged on my sleeves

"Look over there, that guy with blue highlights stands out, Ate." Turo ni Ricos sa may grupo ng student journalist at advocates, and there goes Ralph stealing the spotlight."Parang hindi sila matatapos magbigay niyang flyer."

"They need to be full of resolve." Sagot ko.

"Kilala mo sila, Ate?" Ricos titled his head.

I gave a half nod, he's sure talkative. Madaldal pero di naalis yung magalang at parang bata niyang tono." The one you pointed out is my childhood friend. Senior sa polsci, parte din siya ng broadcasting."

Ricos smiled because of my attention." Ikaw, Ate. Anong org ka?"

I gave up calling my boyfriend.Ricos persistent questioning made me remember a very important matter. " Before that, there's something that's making me curious. How do you know my name right from the start, Ricos?"

He just stared at me. Ako pa mali." I want to be your friend."

"Oh-------that doesn't answer my question. But. Nevermind." Pagtatapos ko sa usapang wala namang patutunguhan, nasa mga mapaglaro niyang mata na wala siyang balak sagutin ako ng katotohanan." But I suggest you don't get too close too me, for your own good-----------pasok na tayo sa klase?"

"Bakit po di kita dapat makalapit?"

"Just listen to me, Ricos."

Napatitig na lang ako dahil sa sobra-sobra niyang pagtatanong at kawalan niya ng social cues. Aakalain ko na sana na hindi siya marunong makiramdam. But something just flickered in his head, and he let the topic drop." You're not going to call you boyfriend anymore?"

I sighed. "Hindi na....Nandyan lang siya pag-uwi ko."

There he goes again with odd smile.Ako lang nakakikita sa ekspressyon niya dahil sa hoodie na tinatakpan ang kalakhan ng mukha niya." But perfect things doesn't last nor exist Ate. Paano kung wala na siya pag-uwi mo?"

I decided to walk away before his words became poison.

Ricos just followed meekly, almost stumbling on his feet as he tried to match my pace. Yet he acts cheerfully and makes sure I see his smile, and that discomfort grows in my face. Ricos is just so frail, abhorrently childlike, and just another outcast, a monster so miserable he'd latch on to me.. Walang maganda na maidudulot kung magkasama kami.

Pero binagalan ko pa rin ang paglalakad ko para makasabay siya.